For those authors who have or have considered multiple pen names - what is the reason you chose to have them.
I know of one case where an author wanted to keep an incomplete story under one pen name while posting a new one.
For those authors who have or have considered multiple pen names - what is the reason you chose to have them.
I know of one case where an author wanted to keep an incomplete story under one pen name while posting a new one.
I posted under a pen name (CrumblyWriter), thinking that's what you were supposed to do on an anonymous sex story website, but once I started publishing my stories, I switched to my actual name.
I also published a tributary erotic porn story, so I posted that under my brother's name, though I didn't really expect anyone to notice the connection. But after a bit, I switched it over to my regular ID. (All of the covers for my stories, which I post when I post the stories, show my actual name, including a photograph of me on the back cover/last page, along with my email address so readers can get ahold of me (not that anyone ever uses that particular facility).
But the most common usage of Pen Names, at least on SOL, is either when their writing something they think will negatively impact their 'image' (i.e. run counter to the image they've created for themselves through their publications) or conversely, their writing starts to slip and they still want to continue writing, but again don't want to tarnish the image they've built over their years with a 'less than stellar' story.
Then, you've got writers like Rache, who routinely created hundreds of pen-names, just to sandbag readers and catch them off-guard. But for all her writing chops, she was really just an attention junkie.
Then, you've got writers like Rache, who routinely created hundreds of pen-names, just to sandbag readers and catch them off-guard. But for all her writing chops, she was really just an attention junkie.
So she created hundreds of pen names repeatedly, enough to become routine. Are you sure want to stand by the claim that rache actually created what would have to be many thousands of pen-names?
Dismissing her talent and passing her off as and attention junkie might have some kernel of truth, but sounds much more like sour grapes.
she created hundreds of pen names repeatedly
That got me wondering what the antonym of hyperbole might be. And why all aussie women are called Sheila.
AJ
why all aussie women are called Sheila.
They aren't, and not all Aussie men call every girl a sheila, it's never been that way - but don't let our version of Hollywood know that as it's what they believe.
They aren't, and not all Aussie men call every girl a sheila, it's never been that way - but don't let our version of Hollywood know that as it's what they believe.
If you burst that particular bubble, then a lot of Aussie actors and actresses might lose a few movie roles! But then, Hollywood has never cared for accuracy in film.
Hollywood has never cared for accuracy in film.
Of course they care! They strive assiduously to eliminate all traces.
Hollywood has never cared for accuracy in film.
I always found it funny that one of the most well known "Australian Actors" is actually American.
Since she was born to Australian parents in Hawaii, Nicole Kidman holds dual citizenship of Australia and the United States.
Since she was born to Australian parents in Hawaii,
But has she been US President yet? ;-)
AJ
Interestingly, it seems the entertainment industry doesn't care where you're born, but go on where you were when you entered the industry. Thus there are many 'American' actors and entertainers who were born in the UK, Australia, and Canada because they broke into the industry in the USA, and there are many 'Australian' actors and entertainers who were born outside Australia and grew up in Australia where they broke into the industry.
Interestingly, it seems the entertainment industry doesn't care where you're born, but go on where you were when you entered the industry.
The same could be said of U.S. presidents.
The late ones are all dead ;-)
that's why they're late and never get anywhere on time, the dead move damn slowly.
They can move? That I have to see :D
Hey, since the get boners and fart, they're already moving more than I'm comfortable with!
They can move? That I have to see :D
watch some of the video from the UK House of Lords or the Australian Parliament and watch the bank benchers, or those in the back rows of the US Congress.
that's why they're late and never get anywhere on time, the dead move damn slowly.
They still move faster than the current electorate. The side who voted down the Covid-19 relief are trying to milk the passage of the bill, despite their opposition, while hoping their revised 'Do Nothing' party will win by default, regardless of how little they achieve. Doesn't inspire much confidence.
And why all aussie women are called Sheila.
Something to do with throwing another prawn on the BarB...?
Or maybe throwing another Barbie on the porn...?
But I don't think Aussie guys give a XXXX
:)
Aussie guys give a XXXX
XXXX is the name of the biggest selling beer in Queensland because, for many decades, that's the only way many of the Queenslanders spelled beer.
I thought Fosters was Australian for beer. Are you saying the commercials lied to me?
:)
I thought Fosters was Australian for beer. Are you saying the commercials lied to me?
Fosters in Australian, but is one of the less drunk beers here in Australia. Locally we drink so little of Fosters they have to export it to get the sales. The other brands have a hard time keeping up with the local demand that they can't be bothered with trying to export any.
antonym of hyperbole
understatement
Hypobole. As "hypo-" is the antonym of "hyper-", as least for medical uses.
understatement
In one of those little coincidences that enrich our lives, today's quizword has a clue 'Technical term for understatement'. The letters I already have may or may not be L_T_T_S.
I refuse to look up the answer so, if you know what it is, please don't spoil it for me until this time tomorrow.
AJ
I refuse to look up the answer so, if you know what it is, please don't spoil it for me until this time tomorrow.
Then WHY mention it...!!!!!!
Spoiler alert.
The answer is _I_O_E_
In one of those little coincidences that enrich our lives, today's quizword has a clue 'Technical term for understatement'. The letters I already have may or may not be L_T_T_S.
L_T_T_S
Noun
ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary (e.g., you won't be sorry, meaning you'll be glad).
I'm not sure understatement is invariably the opposite of hyperbole. It can get a little tricky.
1. Asked how he did in the high jump, Fosbury said, "If I'd jumped any higher I'd've been over the moon."
2. Asked how he did in the high jump, Fosbury said, "I flopped."
The first statement might seem to be a hyperbole, but if we take "over the moon" as an indicator of his feelings then in total Fosbury's statement is exact.
Whether the second statement is hyperbole might depend on how Fosbury actually did in the event. The Fosbury Flop is his style of jumping, so in that sense it's exact. But if he actually won the event with a superlative jump, then his statement might be an understatement.
Can an extreme understatement be hyperbole? I think so.
Rather than understatement, I'd consider defining the opposite of hyperbole as fact or possibly truth.
Can an extreme understatement be hyperbole? I think so.
Rather than understatement, I'd consider defining the opposite of hyperbole as fact or possibly truth.
Yes, telling the truth or stating facts is the opposite of hyperbole, unfortunately, in this post-modern age, neither is currently in fashion anymore, so instances of it are few and far between.
From etymology.com
Sheila
fem. proper name, Irish equivalent of Celia, shortened form of Cecilia, the fem. form of Cecil. A standard type of an Irish women's name since 1828; slang for "girlfriend, young woman" dates from 1839.
https://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/not-just-ned/family-history/irish/convicts
So she created hundreds of pen names repeatedly, enough to become routine. Are you sure want to stand by the claim that rache actually created what would have to be many thousands of pen-names?
No, obviously not, it just felt like it! She was, if nothing else, incredibly prolific, and for a long time, it was hard to tell what was hers and what wasn't (a safe bet, if it wasn't controversial, it generally wasn't).
And while I appreciate her talents (both writing and editorial), what we wrote was miles apart, so it wasn't so much sour grapes and just a general lack of interest. Many followerd her actively, searching out her various allies, while I'd read anything that piqued my interest, which wasn't very often.
Then, you've got writers like Rache, who routinely created hundreds of pen-names, just to sandbag readers and catch them off-guard. But for all her writing chops, she was really just an attention junkie.
Why would you care about that?
The idea strikes me as a good one though. I am curious as to why you'd consider sandbagging?
Why would you care about that?
The idea strikes me as a good one though. I am curious as to why you'd consider sandbagging?
I don't, which is why I only read a handful of her stories which appealed to me. And she was both an excellent writer and editor (professional). However, she liked to piss people off, and that's why I tended to avoid her work, not that it wasn't well executed.
But generally, that kind of sandbagging is either an attempt to get attention, or probably more likely in Rache's case, an attempt to piss off those who'd routinely belittle and bemoan her stories. In those cases, rather than simply pick on online fight in the Forum like the rest of us, she'd rush through something designed to piss off that individual, and anyone else who felt like they did.
I don't mind speaking my mind, but I'm not quite that confrontational. My problem is that I often can't let something go, even after making my point, which is problematic enough for my taste.
If authors are using multiple pen names, I think it likely that they want to keep their various identities secret. Although aroslav and Harry Lime make no secret of their alter egos, using them for different types of stories.
AJ
If authors are using multiple pen names, I think it likely that they want to keep their various identities secret. Although aroslav and Harry Lime make no secret of their alter egos, using them for different types of stories.
I suspect that that's much more common, as authors prefer keeping like stories together, to avoid discouraging their readers who have their own preferences.
Since I tend to write the same types of stories, mostly Sci-Fi with a few Fantasy (in my later years), that's not a pressing need. Though I have considered a pseudonym just so I can publish a few kinky pornos (again, just not to scare my usual readers).
I think it has more to do with authors writing out of their 'usual' genre, who don't wish to risk offending the core readers of their 'original' work.
Like the Harry Potter wifie writing a more 'adult' aimed non-childish non-fantasy detective novel, or the comedy/humour writer Tom Holt writing some down right nasty, brutal unfunny work as KJ Parker...
I think it has more to do with authors writing out of their 'usual' genre, who don't wish to risk offending the core readers of their 'original' work.
Even mainstream authors are known to do that.
When Anne Rice wrote books that were even higher in sexual content and pushing into taboo subjects like underage sex, rape and BDSM she used pen names.
At one time I wrote some stories in a co-operative situation with another persons where he wrote the sex scenes and I wrote the action, I posted them under his pen name. Since then he's fully retired and insisted I take over full control of the stories, so I have.
In another case I took over the writing of the end of a story and that appeared under both of our names, since then he has had me take over his account on SoL to keep the works up to date and accessible. That I've done. But His works still list under his name.
As one guilty of the topic of conversation (I have 5 different pseudonyms here), I ended up in that situation because I discovered quite quickly on, that readers get 'squicked' very easily and will automatically 'vote down' anything that triggers them, regardless as to the quality of the actual story.
Since I like to have a play around with various subjects/topics, it was easier to split them into various separate individuals, so those who are here for, say father daughter incest, aren't annoyed because I wrote a F/F or M/M story etc etc.
Also it wasn't just the usual present day 'vanilla' sex. I had a hankering once to try erotic stories in a Sci-Fi setting, so that became one of the five accounts.
And then I didn't stop there and ended up with another two at the sister Scifistories site where my stories are sex free. So I suppose that actually makes it 7 pseudonyms... LOL
And then I didn't stop there and ended up with another two at the sister Scifistories site where my stories are sex free. So I suppose that actually makes it 7 pseudonyms... LOL
Pixynyms, anyone?
So I suppose that actually makes it 7 pseudonyms... LOL
I believe Lazeez divulged that at least one SOL author uses a different nym for every story they write.
Given the scepticicm with which readers treat 'new' authors, I suspect the author in question isn't overly bothered about story scores.
AJ
If the author in question writes a lot, then that could be a lot of accounts to keep tabs on...
One thing I have noticed across all my accounts, is that whilst the stories in them vary wildly as to the score given to each, the score average for each (account overall) has ended up roughly being the same.
If the author in question writes a lot, then that could be a lot of accounts to keep tabs on...
Nowadays, you can have all the pseudonyms under the same account, and just pick or add another whenever you want.
One thing I have noticed across all my accounts, is that whilst the stories in them vary wildly as to the score given to each, the score average for each (account overall) has ended up roughly being the same.
Try writing some underage gay erotica, or a scat story, and see whether that still holds true.
I believe Lazeez divulged that at least one SOL author uses a different nym for every story they write.
Hmm, can the same (real) person keep winning the Best New Author award?
Hmm, can the same (real) person keep winning the Best New Author award?
Now, that is an interesting question I would like to hear the answer to. On the Clitorides site, in the FAQ, it states 'author', not 'pen name'. Lazeez would have to link pen names without divulging that they are for the same author.
Lazeez would have to link pen names without divulging that they are for the same author.
How could Lazeez match up the pen names if the author posts under different names on different Clitoride-eligible sites?
AJ
How could Lazeez match up the pen names if the author posts under different names on different Clitoride-eligible sites?
Not from other sites, but there aren't many entries other than from SOL.
Hmm, can the same (real) person keep winning the Best New Author award?
Given that multiple pen names seem most often used to post in very different genres, if an author is good enough to post winning stories in different genres under different names, why is that an issue?
It is hardly unknown for a single author to be voted for in several categories in the same year, is that unfair?
winning stories in different genres under different names, why is that an issue?
Simply because the award is for "New" Author.
First time published authors sometimes have on their book cover: "Debut Author." I don't believe a publisher would use that for the first Richard Bachman novel because he's not a debut author, he's an established author by the name of Stephen King. No one was supposed to have known that, but the publisher knew it.
Simply because the award is for "New" Author.
Well, new to SoL. Are you against an author who has posted stories to another site for years being awarded "best new author" for his or her first story posted here on SoL..?
Or maybe there's no such thing as a "new" author, since babies can's read or write yet. :)
I think Lazeez would refuse a sex story submitted by an author who hasn't yet attained their fourteenth birthday.
:)
I think Lazeez would refuse a sex story submitted by an author who hasn't yet attained their fourteenth birthday.
As long as their story doesn't have any explicit sex scenes, i doubt he'd have a problem with it.
Now, whether he'd allow them to read their own story is another question entirely!
Are you against an author who has posted stories to another site for years being awarded "best new author" for his or her first story posted here on SoL..?
Yes. I have also seen a case where an author was nominated as a 'new author' but actually had several posted works on SOL, removed them in an attempt to be published but after that didn't work out reposted them.
Yes.
Just out of interest, to what level does your objection reach?
Presumably you require a "new author" nomination to exclude anyone who has ever written a story before the one posted on SoL, to which the nomination applies?
Presumably you require a "new author" nomination to exclude anyone who has ever written a story before the one posted on SoL, to which the nomination applies?
Although unrealistic, it would be nice if a 'new author' hadn't previously published any erotica on a site covered by the Clitorides awards. So JK Rowling and James Patterson should be eligible (unless someone knows different.)
AJ
Yes. I have also seen a case where an author was nominated as a 'new author' but actually had several posted works on SOL, removed them in an attempt to be published but after that didn't work out reposted them.
I have seen that also.
And also laughed when I saw nominees for "Lifetime Achievement" that only had 2 or 3 stories published. All in the last year.
Honestly, I now largely take them as something of a joke to be honest. Interesting, but of no real importance.
And also laughed when I saw nominees for "Lifetime Achievement" that only had 2 or 3 stories published. All in the last year.
"All in the last year" is the laughing factor, not the number of stories. RoustWriter has only three stories on SOL but is posting weekly for 15+ years now on SOL so I'd say that is worth nominating for a Lifetime Achievement award.
"All in the last year" is the laughing factor, not the number of stories. RoustWriter has only three stories on SOL but is posting weekly for 15+ years now on SOL so I'd say that is worth nominating for a Lifetime Achievement award.
In that I agree. I think the person I saw nominated only started in 2019, and I just shook my head.
I think the person I saw nominated only started in 2019
Maybe it was an author of DoOver stories. This is his second time around.
Maybe it was an author of DoOver stories. This is his second time around.
Otherwise known as an author circling the drain, who keeps reappearing in the same spot?
I saw nominees for "Lifetime Achievement" that only had 2 or 3 stories published. All in the last year.
If that is the case then you should inform Lazeez as they shouldn't have been allowed to be nominated.
Who's eligible for the Lifetime Achievement Award?
Authors who made a significant contribution to the written erotica world. Active or retired, an author must have started posting at least five years prior to the awards year to be eligible, or is deceased.
Well, new to SoL. Are you against an author who has posted stories to another site for years being awarded "best new author" for his or her first story posted here on SoL..?
If an honor for 'new, inexperienced' authors, I'd be insulted if the award went to an hold hack, who's merely discovered a new outlet for his oldest stories, already available on other sites. If that were to occur, I'd be extremely resentful of the entire award. If you're going to play games over the terminology, then you might as well not have the contest to begin with.
@Dominions Son
Or maybe there's no such thing as a "new" author, since babies can's read or write yet.
That's why I generally prefer the term 'newbie', denoting someone of any age who doesn't yet know all the ins and outs of publishing.
I'd be insulted if the award went to an hold hack, who's merely discovered a new outlet for his oldest stories, already available on other sites.
Theoretically an author who posts a qualifying story on any free site is eligible.
It's worth noting that authors are nominated by others, so unless they check the nominations they would't even know they are nominated. They are also voted for by others, so it is entirely possible a new author could win an award without knowing. That gives them zero opportunity to point out they are not in fact a 'new author'.
Besides which, has anyone ever actually refused a clitoride award..??
NB
I'm not advocating that it is acceptable to "play games over the terminology". Just that the guidelines aren't crystal clear, those nominated are not necessarily aware of their nomination (or win) and that it is almost impossible to 'police' the nominations without devoting far more time ad resources than is justifiable.
Besides which, has anyone ever actually refused a clitoride award..??
IIRC authors have been known to ask for their nominations to be deleted.
AJ
IIRC authors have been known to ask for their nominations to be deleted.
Having your stories and awards deleted isn't the same as refusing to accept them. Would be mildly interesting to know which was the case.
Having your stories and awards deleted isn't the same as refusing to accept them. Would be mildly interesting to know which was the case.
Asking to have your nomination removed before the winner is determined would be equivalent to refusing the award.
Asking to have your nomination removed before the winner is determined would be equivalent to refusing the award.
No, because except in extreme circumstances, not all nominees get an award. And, IIRC, since the nominees asked for their nominations to be deleted before voting started, they may not have known whether an award was inevitable or not.
AJ
And, IIRC, since the nominees asked for their nominations to be deleted before voting started, they may not have known whether an award was inevitable or not.
Sorry, but asking to have nominations removed before the winner was determined means that they didn't want the award.
Their odds of winning had they let the nomination stand are irrelevant.
Sorry, but asking to have nominations removed before the winner was determined means that they didn't want the award.
That is true, but your original claim used the verb 'refuse'. To me, that would mean they'd won the award then gone on stage and announced, "I refuse to accept this award because of ... (enter-woke-cause-of-your-choice)." I believe Oscars have been refused in that way.
AJ
"I refuse to accept this award because of ... (enter-woke-cause-of-your-choice)." I believe Oscars have been refused in that way.
Just once could we see an a substitute go up to receive an award and decline the award because the absent recipient "doesn't feel they are worthy".
Such a refreshing change from the pathetic self-aggrandising we usually see from those refusing an award.
I believe Oscars have been refused in that way.
George C. Scott refused the Oscar when he won Best Actor for "Patton." At least he didn't show up to the event after being disgruntled for not winning earlier. Did he actually refuse the statue? I have no idea. But he refused to attend and accept it.
I believe that nowadays it's quite hard to get an Oscar nomination unless the publicists campaign for it. And in the event of a nomination being based purely on merit, rather than wining and dining those suspected to be on the nomination committee, the nominee is quietly asked beforehand whether they're happy to be nominated.
The British 'honours' system operates like that - potential nominees are quietly sounded out beforehand to avoid embarrassment. The embarrassment comes later when recipients are found to be crooks or sleazebags.
AJ
crooks or sleazebags?
Face it, the days when honorable people were lauded for anything are long gone. Now, you have to assume that anyone nominated for anything is just waiting for the axe to finally fall.
That is true, but your original claim used the verb 'refuse'.
I also said "equivalent to" not "the same as". The final result is the same either way.
'refuse'
"Refuse refers to any disposable materials, which includes both recyclable and non-recyclable materials. This term is often interchangeably with waste, but refuse is a broad, overarching term that applies to anything that is leftover after it is used, while waste only refers to leftovers that cannot be recycled."
The final result is the same either way.
The author ends up without the award, true, but there are differences too. A story not being nominated and a story being nominated but not winning an award have different nuances.
AJ
asking to have nominations removed before the winner was determined means that they didn't want the award.
Or they didn't want the "shame" of losing.
@Dominions Son
asking to have nominations removed before the winner was determined means that they didn't want the award.
Or they didn't want the "shame" of losing.
I seem to recall an author who had multiple stories nominated in a category request that some nominations be deleted. This was to give the remaining story a better chance when the voting started.
not all nominees get an award.
My grandson is a professional baseball player. I was looking at his MLB career stats and one category to click on was "Awards" so I clicked on it. The only award he got was playing in the All-Star game when in Double-A. He actually was the winning pitcher, but his award wasn't for that. It was for being selected (nominated) to the game.
Asking to have your nomination removed before the winner is determined would be equivalent to refusing the award.
True. But not what I stated.
Asking to have your nomination removed before the winner is determined would be equivalent to refusing the award.
Technically, it's refusing the nomination, preventing anyone from voting for them.
'newbie'
In terms of grading, is a newA better than a newB? Are average writers newC? Naked writers are NewD.
Are average writers newC?
Just the red-headed comedians! Now her I've always wanted to see naked pictures of. How they never turned up, I'll never know.
Hmm, can the same (real) person keep winning the Best New Author award?
It's probably impossible to police.
AJ
It's probably impossible to police.
Especially if those who know better never bother to report the fact.
This is why Stephen King wrote as Richard Bachman:
At the beginning of King's career, the general view among publishers was that an author was limited to one book per year, since publishing more would be unacceptable to the public. King therefore wanted to write under another name in order to increase his publication without over-saturating the market for the King "brand". He convinced his publisher, Signet Books, to print these novels under a pseudonym.[1]
In his introduction to The Bachman Books, King states that adopting the nom de plume Bachman was also an attempt to make sense out of his career and try to answer the question of whether his success was due to talent or luck. He says he deliberately released the Bachman novels with as little marketing presence as possible and did his best to "load the dice against" Bachman. King concludes that he has yet to find an answer to the "talent versus luck" question, as he felt he was outed as Bachman too early to know. The Bachman book Thinner (1984) sold 28,000 copies during its initial run—and then ten times as many when it was revealed that Bachman was, in fact, King.
At the beginning of King's career, the general view among publishers was that an author was limited to one book per year, since publishing more would be unacceptable to the public. King therefore wanted to write under another name in order to increase his publication without over-saturating the market for the King "brand". He convinced his publisher, Signet Books, to print these novels under a pseudonym.
He also used it for older stories that he had written, but been unable to sell before he became famous. His publisher knew who he was, but the early Bachman stories were different enough that they did not think anybody would notice.
"Sorry! We have no authors whose name starts with multiple" from the author search. So there are no multiple pen names.
There are currently 39 authors with the string 'pen' in their names, so 39 pen names ;-)
AJ
There are currently 39 authors with the string 'pen' in their names, so 39 pen names ;-)
There are 61 awards from 12 different authors with the string 'pen' in their pen name ;-)
(Bluepen, Dark Pen, Eye of Serpent, Jeremy Spencer, Jpenguin, mypenname3000, Old Man with a Pen, Penguintopia, The Flying Pen, Thenaughtypen, TonySpencer, Uther Pendragon)
How do you change a pen name?
1 - Authors/Editors
2- Edit Prefs/Profile
3- Change pen name
4- Click save
Does that require the services of admin?
Nope.
I have more than one due to wanting one type of my work separated from another. I write in a number of flavors and people would judge one and me based on the other. They may decide that pen-name A bites donkey doo, while pen-name B held the ladder for the guy that hung the stars.
There's currently an advert on UK network television promoting sildenafil as the answer to erectile dysfunction. It starts by announcing lots of penis names.
AJ